EPEC Trying to Prevent Many Renewable Energy Installations
June 15, 2009
To: The Public Regulation Commission, Governor Richardson, El Paso Electric
Re: Obstacles to Renewable Energy Installations
El Paso Electric has embraced an interpretation of New Mexico law that precludes schools, churches, non-profit organizations, low income individuals and government agencies from having affordable installations of renewable solar and wind energy systems on their properties.
El Paso Electric’s decision to classify companies that provide third party financing as “utilities” effectively prevents organizations and indivituals that do not generate income from utilizing tax and other incentives that can cover up to 60% of the cost of installing a renewable energy system. The city of Las Cruces has already had plans to install PV solar on its new city hall stalled by this policy.
El Paso Electric’s policy will stunt the growth of renewable energy jobs in Dona Ana County, impair the ability of local agencies to compete for federal stimulus funds for renewable energy projects, and increase the cost of installing equipment for renewable energy training at our schools. Churches that could greatly reduce their long term energy costs will be cut out of the picture.
The El Paso Electric policy is not only contrary to the regulatory framework set up in states across the country, it is also at odds with the policy adopted by another other utility in the state PNM. PNM serves Albuquerque and many other areas of New Mexico. The federal government has clearly demonstrated its support of leveraging incentives through third party financing by setting up a website that coaches users how to set up these arrangements.
El Paso Electric’s current policy works directly against our community’s economic and environmental interests. We the undersigned request that El Paso Electric, the PRC, and the governor’s office work to immediately reverse the policy that classifies third party financing entities that do not sell significant amounts of electricity back to the grid or to other customers as “utilities”.
Sincerely,
–
Steve Fischmann
NM Senator District 37
PO Box 2580
Mesilla Park, NM 88047
575-635-9582
steve@stevefischmann.com
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